Golden State Today

Governor Gavin Newsom today announced several appointments to key positions within the state government.

Derek Kirk, of Sacramento, has been appointed Senior Advisor for Economic Policy at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. Kirk has served as Assistant Deputy Secretary of Climate Economy at the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency since 2023. His previous roles include Community-Based Solutions Supervisor at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development from 2022 to 2023, Regional Business Development Specialist from 2020 to 2022, Director of Community Engagement and Advocacy for Visit SLO CAL from 2019 to 2020, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce from 2018 to 2019, and Director of Community and Government Relations for the North Orange County Chamber of Commerce from 2016 to 2017. Kirk holds a Master of Arts degree in Social Justice and Community Organizing from Prescott College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Point Loma Nazarene University. This position does not require Senate confirmation, with compensation set at $155,796. Kirk is a Democrat.

Poonum Rashmikant Patel, of Hayward, has been appointed Deputy Director of Business Development at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. Patel has held various roles within the office since 2013, including Assistant Deputy Director of Business Investment Services since 2020, Senior Business Development Specialist, Senior Permit Assistant, Permit Assistant Specialist, and Senior Project Specialist. She also served as Special Assistant to Appointments in the Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. from 2011 to 2013. Patel earned both her Master of Business Administration degree and Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, Davis. This position does not require Senate confirmation and offers compensation of $133,608. Patel is a Democrat.

Kayla Ungar, also from Sacramento, has been appointed Deputy Director for Strategic Program Planning at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. Ungar recently served as Interim Director for California for All Women and Mental Health Programs in Governor Newsom's office since early this year. Her prior roles include Chief Deputy Director at the California Arts Council (2023-2024), Special Advisor for Climate, Water, and Drought at the California Department of Food and Agriculture (2022-2023), Assistant Deputy Cabinet Secretary in Governor Newsom's office (2019-2022), Chief of Staff for SGR Consulting (2016-2019), and Finance Associate there (2014-2015). Ungar holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Public Administration from Northwestern University and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from UC Berkeley. This position does not require Senate confirmation with compensation set at $144,204. Ungar is a Democrat.

Zahirah Mann, based in Pasadena, has been appointed to the California Transportation Commission. Mann currently serves as President and CEO at South Los Angeles Transit Empowerment Zone (SLATE-Z) since 2021. Her previous positions include various roles at The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation (2017-2021), Program Officer at Annenberg Foundation (2016), Home For Good Program Manager at United Way Greater Los Angeles (2013-2016), Attorney for Legal Aid Foundation Los Angeles (2010-2012), Consultant (2009-2010), Associate at Strumwasser & Woocher LLP (2004-2008), Attorney at Natural Resources Defense Council (2002-2004). Mann is on multiple boards including Center for Nonprofit Management Board, Chandler School Board Trusteeship Federal Reserve Bank San Francisco’s Community Advisory Council; she holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science Vassar College Juris Doctor Tulane Law School This role requires Senate confirmation compensates $100 per diem Mann Democrat

Mark Krausse Clarksburg appointed California Public Employment Relations Board Krausse Director State Agency Relations Pacific Gas Electric since 2007 previously Executive Director Fair Political Practices Commission (2000–2007) Government Relations Doctors Company(1996–1997) Senior Consultant California State Senate(1994–1996) Assembly(1991–1994) Associate Consultant Senate(1988–1990) He holds Bachelor's Government CSU Sacramento Juris Doctor McGeorge School Law Position requires Senate confirmation compensates $175578 Krausse Democrat